Situated in the Lower Seven Vale (12 miles north of Bristol) is the ancient market town of Thornbury - the town was known as Thornbyrig to the Anglo Saxons and as Turnberie in the Domesday Book (1086); Iron age artifacts and Roman remains - including a hoard of coins - attest to older settlement in the area. The earliest record of Thornbury is in 896, by 1066 it was in the hands of an Anglo Saxon chieftain called Brictric, it passed into the hands of Matilda, wife of William the Conqueror by the simple expedient of throwing him in Winchester Gaol - Brictric did not return the lady`s affections whilst he was an ambassador to the court of Baldwin, Count of Flanders. The town is dominated by the Castle and the church of St.Mary`s. The castle was started in 1511 by Edward Stafford, third Duke of Buckingham, in 1521 he fell foul of King Henry VIII and was beheaded - it didn`t do to upset the monarchy! - who confiscated all the Dukes estates. When Mary Tudor, the Kings daughter, became Queen she restored the castle to the decedents of the Duke. The church of St.Mary dates back to 1106 but has undergone much rebuilding so that only the north and south doors and the font date to the earliest times, in the 16th century it was rebuilt in the Perpendicular style with a tower crowned with pierced battlements and turrets. The town centre retains mush the same street pattern as in medieval times, they are lined with mainly 17th & 18th century facades but some are built onto even older structures, other buildings of note are; the Market Hall, scene of the cattle market until 1911; the Swan Inn a coaching inn of the 17th century; the Town Hall once the Magistrates Court & Police Station and Porch House dating from the 15th century.
Council
Dentist
Doctor
The Surgery
Thornbury Health Centre
Farmers Market
Golf Club
Pub and Bar
Restaurant
Blend Cafe Lounge
Thornbury Castle
Taxi
Shops
Wyevale Garden Centre
Thornbury Organic Co-op
Places to Stay near Thornbury
The Bickford Arms (2.98 miles)
The Bickford Arms has stood at Brandis Corner near Holsworthy since the 17th century, first as a coaching inn and now as a completely rebuilt traditional pub/restaurant offering bed and breakfast. Reduced ... More
Kingsley Mill (4.58 miles)
Click here to book this cottage with Hoseasons
This delightful 18th century water mill's idyllic riverside setting in the tranquil Torridge Valley offers the opportunity to enjoy 1½ miles of private salmon and trout fishing ... More
Lavender and Clematis Cottages (5.34 miles)
Halfmoon Inn (The) (5.54 miles)
Hay Meadow Farm (5.68 miles)
Lew Barn (5.69 miles)
Oak Tree Farm (6.09 miles)
Court Barn Country House Hotel (6.72 miles)
Blagdon Manor (7.49 miles)
The ... More | visit website
Penhaven Country House Hotel (7.85 miles)
Set in 10 acres of grounds, the tranquil Penhaven Country House Hotel provides a perfect base to relax, unwind and enjoy everything North Devon has to offer. The stylishly refurbished hotel is ... More
Brit Quote: |
|
On this day: |